Rooney ready to step up again

Saturday 18 December 2010 08:04 BST

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney will not shirk penalty duties if Manchester United are awarded one at Chelsea on Sunday.

Rooney shot over the bar from the spot in Monday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League win over Arsenal at Old Trafford, but the England striker wants to be the man on the spot if United are awarded a penalty at Stamford Bridge.

Quoted in several newspapers, he explained: "Of course I'll take a penalty at Chelsea if I get the chance. I have no problems with that. I know players miss penalties and I'm just hoping the next one I will score."

The 25-year-old added: "But beyond that, obviously as a centre-forward you want to score goals.

"Some centre-forwards are different; some like to be on the pitch and their whole job is to score - they don't look to get involved in the game. I like to get involved in the game and feel part of it, but you still want to score.

"Dimitar Berbatov and I have been working on the training ground to work closer, play more one-twos and play a bit quicker.

"It worked really well in the Blackburn game, when we won 7-1, but we only had one up front against Arsenal, so you have to alter the way you play sometimes."

Rooney also paid tribute to the club's fans for their support after he announced his intention to leave Old Trafford two months ago, only to sign a new five-year contract making him the highest-paid player in United history.

"It has been a hard few months for me and the United fans with what happened, but they have been brilliant," he said. "They can see the desire. I have got to play and win."

Wayne Rooney will not shirk penalty duties if Manchester United are awarded one at Chelsea